Thoughts on Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura.

The Hierophant · 05-12-2002, 02:31 AM

Howdy.
Not sure how many of you folks have played this game. But for those who have how did you find it? To be honest I really enjoyed it at the beginning, a totally diverse and interesting proposal of a game (the whole Tolkien-meets-industrial-revolution thing is a great idea). Yet by the time I reached the dwarven mine (not too far into the game. I was sent there by Gilbert Bates) I was totally bored/frustrated with it and now it's uninstalled and collecting dust. To be honest it wasn't able to maintain my initially enthusiastic interest. I might give it another go sometime after my University semester is over.
Anyone played it all the way through? Is it worth the time? Have I been a little too hasty? Replies would be welcome [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 05-12-2002, 05:09 AM: Message edited by: The Hierophant ]

Neb · 05-12-2002, 03:55 AM

Well, it was fun at first. But mages were overpowered compared to Technologists who were rather weak. If it had been better balanced it'd have been more fun, and familiars should have been different too. Instead of just the basic boring critter than can hit things with it's claws it should have been like it was described on the Arcanum homepage, in that description they could cast spells and stuff as well...

Arcanum was a great concept, really good idea. But it could have been executed a LOT better.

the new JR Jansen · 05-12-2002, 06:56 AM

I agree with Neb. Besides that, the cap was set a bit low. Half the fun of RPG's is developing your character but you capped out too early in the game imho.

Lifetime · 05-13-2002, 04:44 AM

Loved Arcanum, but I wouldn't play it again for a long time simply because I'm just not willing to go through all that all over again for a long while. Its such a long game that I really wouldnt want to touch it for a while..
Otherwise, it was great. Character gen was a blast!

Black Knight · 05-15-2002, 10:02 AM

I have to admit, for character generation it was very good. The choices were endless. Unfortunately, the game didn't really have any replay value. And after capping the XP about 2/3 of the way through (I guess you're not suppose to do ALL the quests...) it got really boring. Most of my fights only lasted two rounds...

anyways, I spent $70 and got a really nice dice bag and a sound track...gave the rest to my buddy in exchange for a copy of IWD HofW

BK

The Hierophant · 05-16-2002, 12:32 AM

BK-- That's pretty much the same view I have of it. Wicked character design, but that is not nearly enough to maintain one's interest for hours upon hours upon hours.... If there game doesn't leave you in anticipation of what is going to happen next, or leave you wanting to play for "just ten more minutes" until you get to that next experience level (or whatever) then it just isn't going to hold up.
I've reinstalled the game and am giving it another shot. But I'm only an hour or two into the game and already I'm losing interest again.

J'aran · 05-16-2002, 03:09 AM

Yep, same here. Great, original setting (19th century like, magic vs. technology), unparalelled character design and development, but the level cap is too low, magic users are overpowered in relation to technologists and the story is a bit shallow, IMO. A shame, really... it could've been one of the greatest CRPGs ever.

Epona · 05-18-2002, 12:59 PM

I really liked the setting. I didn't play all the way through though, I upgraded my PC and never re-installed it. I was having fun with it though, and might give it another go. Interesting character development.

Zidane · 06-01-2002, 04:39 AM

Have just bought it, it sounded interesting.

Have had a quick look, and will go back to it when I have finished my latest game.

One at a time is my motto.

Lady zidane

uss · 06-01-2002, 12:49 PM

the game, unfortunately, was way too unbalanced! *sob* remember how a fist could do so much more dmg than a gun? guns damage should have been multiplied by 5. then it would be worth it.
the graphics were bad, as was the story. as others said and i agree, the idea was good.

05-12-2002, 02:31 AM	#1
The Hierophant Thoth - Egyptian God of Wisdom Join Date: May 10, 2002 Location: Dunedin, New Zealand. Age: 43 Posts: 2,860	Howdy. Not sure how many of you folks have played this game. But for those who have how did you find it? To be honest I really enjoyed it at the beginning, a totally diverse and interesting proposal of a game (the whole Tolkien-meets-industrial-revolution thing is a great idea). Yet by the time I reached the dwarven mine (not too far into the game. I was sent there by Gilbert Bates) I was totally bored/frustrated with it and now it's uninstalled and collecting dust. To be honest it wasn't able to maintain my initially enthusiastic interest. I might give it another go sometime after my University semester is over. Anyone played it all the way through? Is it worth the time? Have I been a little too hasty? Replies would be welcome [img]smile.gif[/img] [ 05-12-2002, 05:09 AM: Message edited by: The Hierophant ] __________________ [img]\"hosted/Hierophant.jpg\" alt=\" - \" /><br />Strewth!

05-12-2002, 06:56 AM	#3
the new JR Jansen Drizzt Do'Urden Join Date: May 8, 2002 Location: chocolate land Age: 50 Posts: 696	I agree with Neb. Besides that, the cap was set a bit low. Half the fun of RPG's is developing your character but you capped out too early in the game imho. __________________ JR<br /><br /><br /><br />It\'s me. The guy with the cloak big enough for a fire giant and the long nose.<br />Owner of the most visited woodshed in Ironworks\' history.

05-13-2002, 04:44 AM	#4
Lifetime Red Dragon Join Date: March 3, 2001 Location: Scotch College, Melbourne Posts: 1,503	Loved Arcanum, but I wouldn't play it again for a long time simply because I'm just not willing to go through all that all over again for a long while. Its such a long game that I really wouldnt want to touch it for a while.. Otherwise, it was great. Character gen was a blast! __________________ \'Cause its always raining in my head. Forget all the things I should have said..

05-15-2002, 10:02 AM	#5
Black Knight Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: Delaware OH USA Age: 48 Posts: 3,168	I have to admit, for character generation it was very good. The choices were endless. Unfortunately, the game didn't really have any replay value. And after capping the XP about 2/3 of the way through (I guess you're not suppose to do ALL the quests...) it got really boring. Most of my fights only lasted two rounds... anyways, I spent $70 and got a really nice dice bag and a sound track...gave the rest to my buddy in exchange for a copy of IWD HofW BK __________________ The Black Storm Cloud of the Night - Consort to a Queen- Champion of Truth, Justice and Cloudy's Way - Captain of the Knights of the Golden Dragons - Heart, Mind, and Soul- Newbie at Heart - ()xxxxxxxxxxxxx{}:::::::::::::::::::::>

05-16-2002, 12:32 AM	#6
The Hierophant Thoth - Egyptian God of Wisdom Join Date: May 10, 2002 Location: Dunedin, New Zealand. Age: 43 Posts: 2,860	BK-- That's pretty much the same view I have of it. Wicked character design, but that is not nearly enough to maintain one's interest for hours upon hours upon hours.... If there game doesn't leave you in anticipation of what is going to happen next, or leave you wanting to play for "just ten more minutes" until you get to that next experience level (or whatever) then it just isn't going to hold up. I've reinstalled the game and am giving it another shot. But I'm only an hour or two into the game and already I'm losing interest again. __________________ [img]\"hosted/Hierophant.jpg\" alt=\" - \" /><br />Strewth!

05-12-2002, 03:55 AM	#2
Neb Account deleted by Request Join Date: May 17, 2001 Location: . Age: 39 Posts: 8,802	Well, it was fun at first. But mages were overpowered compared to Technologists who were rather weak. If it had been better balanced it'd have been more fun, and familiars should have been different too. Instead of just the basic boring critter than can hit things with it's claws it should have been like it was described on the Arcanum homepage, in that description they could cast spells and stuff as well... Arcanum was a great concept, really good idea. But it could have been executed a LOT better.

05-16-2002, 03:09 AM	#7
J'aran Mephistopheles Join Date: December 12, 2001 Location: Fryslân, The Netherlands Age: 46 Posts: 1,493	Yep, same here. Great, original setting (19th century like, magic vs. technology), unparalelled character design and development, but the level cap is too low, magic users are overpowered in relation to technologists and the story is a bit shallow, IMO. A shame, really... it could've been one of the greatest CRPGs ever.

05-18-2002, 12:59 PM	#8
Epona Zartan Join Date: March 1, 2001 Location: London, England Age: 54 Posts: 5,164	I really liked the setting. I didn't play all the way through though, I upgraded my PC and never re-installed it. I was having fun with it though, and might give it another go. Interesting character development. __________________ [img]\"http://www.wizardrealm.com/images/epona.gif\" alt=\" - \" />

06-01-2002, 04:39 AM	#9
Zidane Manshoon Join Date: January 27, 2002 Location: Birmingham, England Age: 69 Posts: 241	Have just bought it, it sounded interesting. Have had a quick look, and will go back to it when I have finished my latest game. One at a time is my motto. Lady zidane __________________ <br /><br />You know what thought did? He only thought he did.

06-01-2002, 12:49 PM	#10
uss 20th Level Warrior Join Date: November 16, 2001 Location: Estonia Age: 36 Posts: 2,775	the game, unfortunately, was way too unbalanced! sob remember how a fist could do so much more dmg than a gun? guns damage should have been multiplied by 5. then it would be worth it. the graphics were bad, as was the story. as others said and i agree, the idea was good.

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